Coffee Break http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break Coffee Break RSS 1.0 feed. daily 1 Coffee Break http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break http://www.thedailyreel.com/logo.png The Midwest Teen Sex Show: "The First Time" http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/11/08/the-midwest-teen-sex-show-the-first-time This funny and frank approach to sex education (complete with Fargo-esque accents and amusing cutaways) has a lot of promise as a series, mainly because if the Internet likes anything, it's hot young teens talking about sex . However, please note that these teens keep their clothes on. Some of the better "edutainment" I've ever seen online, though with an emphasis on the "-tainment" over the "edu-." Definitely worth following. This funny and frank approach to sex education (complete with Fargo-esque accents and amusing cutaways) has a lot of promise as a series, mainly because if the Internet likes anything, it's hot young teens talking about sex. However, please note that these teens keep their clothes on. Some of the better "edutainment" I've ever seen online, though with an emphasis on the "-tainment" over the "edu-." Definitely worth following.

]]> 2007-11-08T13:21:36-06:00 2007-11-08T13:21:36-06:00 Liz Miller Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson: Artist On Artist http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/10/29/owen-wilson-and-wes-anderson-artist-on-artist It's been about two months since Owen Wilson's baffling suicide attempt, and maybe it's the split-screening enabling him to speak with Wes Anderson remotely, but he seems so sad and fragile here. It doesn't help that whoever is behind the Myspace Artist-on-Artist series is clearly shouting out questions for Wilson to parrot back to Anderson. But even if the two collaborators were able to speak freely -- about The Darjeeling Limited, about their own lives -- one imagines that Owen would still be a little disconnected from the proceedings. A little lost. It's been about two months since Owen Wilson's baffling suicide attempt, and maybe it's the split-screening enabling him to speak with Wes Anderson remotely, but he seems so sad and fragile here. It doesn't help that whoever is behind the Myspace Artist-on-Artist series is clearly shouting out questions for Wilson to parrot back to Anderson. But even if the two collaborators were able to speak freely -- about The Darjeeling Limited, about their own lives -- one imagines that Owen would still be a little disconnected from the proceedings. A little lost.

]]> 2007-10-29T13:33:24-05:00 2007-10-29T13:33:24-05:00 Liz Miller darjeeling limited myspace sad movies owen wilson wes anderson interview Zombies in Plain English http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/10/26/zombies-in-plain-english Zombies are a growing concern for the modern American, so we can't help but feel thankful towards Lee and Sachi LeFever's The Common Craft Show . By using a style called "papercraft" to literally illustrate the ways in which one can identify a zombie and escape their unceasing onslaught, the LeFevers are providing a much needed public service. Watch it now. Before it's too late... Zombies are a growing concern for the modern American, so we can't help but feel thankful towards Lee and Sachi LeFever's The Common Craft Show. By using a style called "papercraft" to literally illustrate the ways in which one can identify a zombie and escape their unceasing onslaught, the LeFevers are providing a much needed public service. Watch it now. Before it's too late...

]]> 2007-10-26T13:28:04-05:00 2007-10-26T13:28:04-05:00 Liz Miller horror comedy animation zombies how-to How to Get the Dreamlife of Your Dreams: Using the Internet! http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/10/24/how-to-get-the-dreamlife-of-your-dreams-using-the-internet The Internet is a vast and scary place, but so full of potential. But tapping into that potential can be daunting. If only there was some sort of handy guide for the Internet's use! Fortunately Gabe and Max are here, with "Gabe and Max's How To Get The Dreamlife of Your Dreams Using the Internet." Watch this video, and then fax these gentlemen your email address. Soon, you will have the answers to the secrets you need. The Internet is a vast and scary place, but so full of potential. But tapping into that potential can be daunting. If only there was some sort of handy guide for the Internet's use!

Fortunately Gabe and Max are here, with "Gabe and Max's How To Get The Dreamlife of Your Dreams Using the Internet." Watch this video, and then fax these gentlemen your email address. Soon, you will have the answers to the secrets you need.

]]> 2007-10-24T11:47:43-05:00 2007-10-24T11:47:43-05:00 Liz Miller awesome wtf internet spoof comedy technology Brokeback Mountain: What Was Jake Gyllenhaal Sitting On? http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/10/17/brokeback-mountain-what-was-jake-gyllenhaal-sitting-on Jake Gyllenhaal, when asked if he knew "what he was sitting on" when he was filming the gay cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain, doesn't quite know what to say. Why can't he spit out an answer? Why does he seem to be swallowing his words? Well, he isn't sure about exactly what he was sitting on. He just knows that it was big. And hard. And it went on for a long time... Oh, stop looking at me like that. You were thinking it, too. Okay, okay! Sorry to get all Michael Scott over here. But when Meredith Vieira sets me up with an opening like that (on The Today Show, of all things!), I find myself unable to resist. Jake Gyllenhaal, when asked if he knew "what he was sitting on" when he was filming the gay cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain, doesn't quite know what to say. Why can't he spit out an answer? Why does he seem to be swallowing his words? Well, he isn't sure about exactly what he was sitting on. He just knows that it was big. And hard. And it went on for a long time...

Oh, stop looking at me like that. You were thinking it, too.

Okay, okay! Sorry to get all Michael Scott over here. But when Meredith Vieira sets me up with an opening like that (on The Today Show, of all things!), I find myself unable to resist.


]]> 2007-10-17T14:26:02-05:00 2007-10-17T14:39:02-05:00 Liz Miller brokeback mountain embarrassing gay jake gyllenhaal talk show today show meredith vieira Apple iPhone Hackers, Here's To You http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/10/02/apple-iphone-hackers-heres-to-you iPhone hackers of the world, unite! In the battle between Apple and those customers interested in modifying their super-phones, this week Apple drew some blood -- the latest iPhone update relocked any iPhones unlocked by this tutorial . So now is the time for all users to rise up -- or mash up, that is. Taking the audio from one of Apple's most inspiring (but least grammatically correct) commercials , this video tries to remind Steve Jobs & co. of a time when Apple celebrated those who "think different." Of course, I don't know where Albert Einstein would fall on issues of fair use and intellectual property, so it's a rough comparison. I also kind of wish that there were more to this video than one long continuous scroll down the third-party mods available. It kind of becomes hypnotic after a while, but that's hardly a good thing. iPhone users interested in sticking it to the man might get more use out of this video explaining how to downgrade their iPhones from 1.1.1 back to 1.0.2 . Far more useful, and also far more iPhone hackers of the world, unite! In the battle between Apple and those customers interested in modifying their super-phones, this week Apple drew some blood -- the latest iPhone update relocked any iPhones unlocked by this tutorial. So now is the time for all users to rise up -- or mash up, that is.

Taking the audio from one of Apple's most inspiring (but least grammatically correct) commercials, this video tries to remind Steve Jobs & co. of a time when Apple celebrated those who "think different." Of course, I don't know where Albert Einstein would fall on issues of fair use and intellectual property, so it's a rough comparison. I also kind of wish that there were more to this video than one long continuous scroll down the third-party mods available. It kind of becomes hypnotic after a while, but that's hardly a good thing.

iPhone users interested in sticking it to the man might get more use out of this video explaining how to downgrade their iPhones from 1.1.1 back to 1.0.2. Far more useful, and also far more

]]> 2007-10-02T13:34:32-05:00 2007-10-02T13:34:32-05:00 Liz Miller apple mashup commercial iphone hack technology OJ Simpson Press Conference Crashed by Jimmy Kimmel's Jake Byrd http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/20/oj-press-conference-crashed-by-jimmy-kimmels-jake-byrd You may already know of Jake Byrd. The goofy gatecrasher and Jimmy Kimmel Live regular has been spotted everywhere from Motley Crue's Hollywood Star Ceremony to Paris Hilton's release . But those who didn't already know him got a big dose this week at a press conference by Yale Galanter, OJ Simpson's attorney. Wearing an "OJ 07" T-Shirt and an "I *Heart* Famous People" hat, Byrd interrupts Gelanter to congratulate him and offer him a high five. He continues to chime in with words of support, stopping only to resort to theatrical facial expressions in the background or -- once -- take a call on his cell phone. Who is this guy? Jake Byrd is the alter ego of comedian Anthony Barbieri. He first started fooling fans and major news outlets when he popped up as a "super-fan" during the Michael Jackson trial , managing to convince both the New York Times and Court TV of his legitimacy. His Kimmel segments are titled "Jake Byrd: Celebrity Avenger." I don't know if all the celebrities Byrd avenges are grateful, but Galanter, at least, seems to appreciate the support. So when's Galanter gonna thank TDR for our High Five ? You may already know of Jake Byrd. The goofy gatecrasher and Jimmy Kimmel Live regular has been spotted everywhere from Motley Crue's Hollywood Star Ceremony to Paris Hilton's release. But those who didn't already know him got a big dose this week at a press conference by Yale Galanter, OJ Simpson's attorney.

Wearing an "OJ 07" T-Shirt and an "I *Heart* Famous People" hat, Byrd interrupts Gelanter to congratulate him and offer him a high five. He continues to chime in with words of support, stopping only to resort to theatrical facial expressions in the background or -- once -- take a call on his cell phone.

Who is this guy?

Jake Byrd is the alter ego of comedian Anthony Barbieri. He first started fooling fans and major news outlets when he popped up as a "super-fan" during the Michael Jackson trial, managing to convince both the New York Times and Court TV of his legitimacy. His Kimmel segments are titled "Jake Byrd: Celebrity Avenger."

I don't know if all the celebrities Byrd avenges are grateful, but Galanter, at least, seems to appreciate the support. So when's Galanter gonna thank TDR for our High Five?

]]> 2007-09-20T14:04:02-05:00 2007-09-20T14:04:02-05:00 Jill Weinberger oj simpson celebrity press conference news spoof comedy Andrew Meyer, College Student, Tasered During John Kerry Forum: The Video http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/18/andrew-meyer-college-student-tasered-during-john-kerry-forum University of Florida student Andrew Meyer seems a bit like your typical 21-year-old: young enough to think he knows everything and brash enough to try and prove it. His efforts to get a rise out of Senator John Kerry at this campus forum, peltering the 2004 presidential candidate with questions, are thus the actions of any brash young man. Given that colleges are full of brash young men, though, the University of Florida support staff should be used to dealing with them -- which is why their actions here feel more than a little out of line. The Gainesville Sun's Kyle Mitchell gets up close and personal with this footage, tracking with Meyer as several security officers drag him away from the microphone and towards the back of the auditorium, where they subdue him, cuff him, and taser him -- all while Meyer shouts, "What did I do?" Perhaps Meyer was being a bit melodramatic, but that's no excuse for tasering a kid in khaki shorts, while he screams "Don't taser me, bro! Don't tase me!" Everyone may be overreacting in this clip -- but not everyone had tasers. University of Florida student Andrew Meyer seems a bit like your typical 21-year-old: young enough to think he knows everything and brash enough to try and prove it. His efforts to get a rise out of Senator John Kerry at this campus forum, peltering the 2004 presidential candidate with questions, are thus the actions of any brash young man. Given that colleges are full of brash young men, though, the University of Florida support staff should be used to dealing with them -- which is why their actions here feel more than a little out of line.

The Gainesville Sun's Kyle Mitchell gets up close and personal with this footage, tracking with Meyer as several security officers drag him away from the microphone and towards the back of the auditorium, where they subdue him, cuff him, and taser him -- all while Meyer shouts, "What did I do?" Perhaps Meyer was being a bit melodramatic, but that's no excuse for tasering a kid in khaki shorts, while he screams "Don't taser me, bro! Don't tase me!" Everyone may be overreacting in this clip -- but not everyone had tasers.

]]> 2007-09-18T13:35:27-05:00 2007-09-19T14:08:28-05:00 Liz Miller john kerry university of florida democrat andrew meyer awful politics Fall Out Boy Patrick Stump Talks Sniffing Panties for NGTV http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/17/fall-out-boy-patrick-stump-talks-sniffing-panties-for-ngtv Actually, Fall Out Boy lead vocalist Patrick Stump only speaks rather briefly about sniffing panties in this segment of NGTV.com's Tour Bus Diaries. And he's only doing it to make a point about women who throw their panties onstage at concerts. He's not writing a song about it or anything. But he does do a bit of demonstrative sniffing, which is fun. Other topics include the new album, pranks on other bands, free gifts, and why Stump's astonishingly tight jeans aren't as health-threateningly "nut hugging" as you might fear. Well, that's a load off my mind. No Good TV has carved itself a niche as the online home of uncensored celebrity interviews and videos. Mostly, it's a place for celebs to talk about their upcoming projects while making dirty jokes and saying "fuck" a lot. Which, when you cover everyone from Akon to Andy Dick to the cast of "Hairspray," is pretty fun. Plus, I think we all learned a little something about throwing our panties onstage. Actually, Fall Out Boy lead vocalist Patrick Stump only speaks rather briefly about sniffing panties in this segment of NGTV.com's Tour Bus Diaries. And he's only doing it to make a point about women who throw their panties onstage at concerts. He's not writing a song about it or anything. But he does do a bit of demonstrative sniffing, which is fun.

Other topics include the new album, pranks on other bands, free gifts, and why Stump's astonishingly tight jeans aren't as health-threateningly "nut hugging" as you might fear. Well, that's a load off my mind.

No Good TV has carved itself a niche as the online home of uncensored celebrity interviews and videos. Mostly, it's a place for celebs to talk about their upcoming projects while making dirty jokes and saying "fuck" a lot. Which, when you cover everyone from Akon to Andy Dick to the cast of "Hairspray," is pretty fun.

Plus, I think we all learned a little something about throwing our panties onstage.

]]> 2007-09-17T14:26:52-05:00 2007-09-17T15:03:39-05:00 Jill Weinberger funny fall out boy music interview sexy hot girls Sarah and Jeff's Wedding Video: The Horror Movie Remix http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/13/sarah-and-jeffs-wedding-the-horror-movie-remix How do you make a wedding video to remember? You might not want to ask Paul Jury of Panda Smash that question. Unless, of course, you want to remember your wedding as a blood-chilling terror fiesta. In which case, talk to Paul Jury. I'm sure he has pointers. Asked by his friends Sarah and Jeff to edit together their wedding footage, Paul set to the task with enthusiasm... Until, that is, he got bored. So, using tricks reminiscent of the West Side Story zombie spoof, he used the raw footage to craft a trailer that will make you cry... with terror. Paul did edit a much more traditional version for Sarah and Jeff -- one that didn't result in Sarah being called a whore . But I think I prefer the horror take. After all, marriage? Pretty scary stuff. How do you make a wedding video to remember? You might not want to ask Paul Jury of Panda Smash that question. Unless, of course, you want to remember your wedding as a blood-chilling terror fiesta. In which case, talk to Paul Jury. I'm sure he has pointers.

Asked by his friends Sarah and Jeff to edit together their wedding footage, Paul set to the task with enthusiasm... Until, that is, he got bored. So, using tricks reminiscent of the West Side Story zombie spoof, he used the raw footage to craft a trailer that will make you cry... with terror.

Paul did edit a much more traditional version for Sarah and Jeff -- one that didn't result in Sarah being called a whore. But I think I prefer the horror take. After all, marriage? Pretty scary stuff.

]]> 2007-09-13T13:55:37-05:00 2007-09-13T14:00:42-05:00 Liz Miller love awesome marriage comedy mashup trailer Leave Britney Alone, Chris Crocker Cries! http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/12/leave-britney-alone-chris-crocker-cries Britney Spears has gotta be like catnip to vlogger Chris Crocker. But face it, Crocker himself has achieved internet fame via a mystifying, train wreck sort of appeal. Is he real? Is he a performance artist? Is he Project Runway's Austin Scarlett after a two-month bender on a sanity-destabilizing cocktail of crystal meth, Maybelline Great Lash, and Coco Puffs? Well, whatever else he is, he's Britney Spears' new knight in shining armor. In this video, a weeping Crocker rants, raves, and screams as he pleads with us all to leave Brit-Brit in peace. She lost her aunt! She went through a divorce! She had two babies! Oh, the HUMANITY! Now, whether Britney wants a hysterical sexually ambiguous internet phenom as her champion is a matter for her and her legal team to decide. (Going by an earlier display of support, my advice would be, "Run, Britney, run!") And one really does have to wonder why such a giant fan of Britney's would do this to her song. But the question remains -- is Chris Crocker for real? I gotta tell ya, I just don't know. His videos range from the out there to the simply insipid. If he's the real deal, he is terrifyingly strange and stupid. If he's an insidious satiric mastermind, well, a lot of his material needs work. Tell you what: I will leave you with one final video, The Secret , and let you decide for yourself. 'Cause damn. That shit ain't right. Britney Spears has gotta be like catnip to vlogger Chris Crocker. But face it, Crocker himself has achieved internet fame via a mystifying, train wreck sort of appeal. Is he real? Is he a performance artist? Is he Project Runway's Austin Scarlett after a two-month bender on a sanity-destabilizing cocktail of crystal meth, Maybelline Great Lash, and Coco Puffs?

Well, whatever else he is, he's Britney Spears' new knight in shining armor. In this video, a weeping Crocker rants, raves, and screams as he pleads with us all to leave Brit-Brit in peace. She lost her aunt! She went through a divorce! She had two babies! Oh, the HUMANITY!

Now, whether Britney wants a hysterical sexually ambiguous internet phenom as her champion is a matter for her and her legal team to decide. (Going by an earlier display of support, my advice would be, "Run, Britney, run!") And one really does have to wonder why such a giant fan of Britney's would do this to her song.

But the question remains -- is Chris Crocker for real? I gotta tell ya, I just don't know. His videos range from the out there to the simply insipid. If he's the real deal, he is terrifyingly strange and stupid. If he's an insidious satiric mastermind, well, a lot of his material needs work. Tell you what: I will leave you with one final video, The Secret, and let you decide for yourself. 'Cause damn. That shit ain't right.

]]> 2007-09-12T13:36:33-05:00 2007-09-12T13:36:33-05:00 Jill Weinberger funny chris crocker britney spears strange wtf meltdown train wreck Kanye West VMA Music Awards Backstage Meltdown http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/11/kanye-west-vma-music-awards-backstage-meltdown A video was posted today of Kanye West’s backstage temper tantrum at the VMAs after he was snubbed for the second year in a row. It’s hard to make much of the footage, presumably because the cameraman was trying to be secretive about it, but the audio is thankfully as clear as day. What is hard to understand, though, is why Kanye even cares about this kind of stuff. The critics love him, he’s well-respected by nearly everyone, he sells millions of albums (in today's Kanye vs. 50 Cent feud, he is the clear winner). And yet he gets all emotional over a meaningless VMA? Very strange. But hey, crazy egotistical Kanye rants are like half the reason we love him. Plus, he’s making some of his “Stronger” lyrics look awfully prophetic: Bow in the presence of greatness Cause right now thou has forsaken us You should be honored by my lateness That I would even show up to this fake shit So go ahead go nuts, go ape shit. A video was posted today of Kanye West’s backstage temper tantrum at the VMAs after he was snubbed for the second year in a row. It’s hard to make much of the footage, presumably because the cameraman was trying to be secretive about it, but the audio is thankfully as clear as day.

What is hard to understand, though, is why Kanye even cares about this kind of stuff. The critics love him, he’s well-respected by nearly everyone, he sells millions of albums (in today's Kanye vs. 50 Cent feud, he is the clear winner). And yet he gets all emotional over a meaningless VMA? Very strange.

But hey, crazy egotistical Kanye rants are like half the reason we love him. Plus, he’s making some of his “Stronger” lyrics look awfully prophetic:

Bow in the presence of greatness
Cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts, go ape shit.

]]> 2007-09-11T18:11:53-05:00 2007-09-11T18:11:53-05:00 Nate Thompson kanye west embarrassing award show mtv video music awards behind the scenes music Luciano Pavarotti, R.I.P. http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/09/06/luciano-pavarotti-r-i-p On September 6th, legendary operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti passed away in his home in Modena, Italy, after a lengthy illness. Though he was, perhaps, most famous for his performances with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo (as the Three Tenors), Pavarotti leaves a legacy that stretches far beyond. He was the first opera singer to perform on Saturday Night Live, was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2001, and holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of curtain calls -- 165. His 1993 concert in New York's Central Park drew more than 500,000 people. Pavarotti was also tirelessly committed to helping refugees and other victims of war, raising money for the causes via his annual "Pavarotti and Friends" concerts, as well as specific concerts for victims in Bosnia, Kosovo, Guatemala and Iraq. He also worked with the UN as a Messenger of Peace, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, child rights, and many other issues. But in the end, Pavarotti will be remembered as a great man who moved millions with the power of his astounding voice. Choosing a clip for this piece was an exquisite chore; how do you find one performance that defines a man who was not only one of the greatest opera singers of our time, but who peformed with everyone -- from James Brown to Lou Reed to Liza Minelli ? Well, you can't. But hopefully, this performance of Schubert's Ave Maria will be a start, at least. Rest in peace, Luciano. On September 6th, legendary operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti passed away in his home in Modena, Italy, after a lengthy illness. Though he was, perhaps, most famous for his performances with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo (as the Three Tenors), Pavarotti leaves a legacy that stretches far beyond.

He was the first opera singer to perform on Saturday Night Live, was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2001, and holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of curtain calls -- 165. His 1993 concert in New York's Central Park drew more than 500,000 people.

Pavarotti was also tirelessly committed to helping refugees and other victims of war, raising money for the causes via his annual "Pavarotti and Friends" concerts, as well as specific concerts for victims in Bosnia, Kosovo, Guatemala and Iraq. He also worked with the UN as a Messenger of Peace, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, child rights, and many other issues.

But in the end, Pavarotti will be remembered as a great man who moved millions with the power of his astounding voice. Choosing a clip for this piece was an exquisite chore; how do you find one performance that defines a man who was not only one of the greatest opera singers of our time, but who peformed with everyone -- from James Brown to Lou Reed to Liza Minelli?

Well, you can't. But hopefully, this performance of Schubert's Ave Maria will be a start, at least.

Rest in peace, Luciano.

]]> 2007-09-06T14:00:15-05:00 2007-09-07T11:27:45-05:00 Jill Weinberger opera obituary music concert pavarotti The iPhone Unlocked! Rejoice! http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/08/29/rejoice-the-iphone-unlocked Well, it only took hackers two months to unlock the iPhone's hidden ability to use other networks besides AT&T. The first such case appeared about a week ago, and it was the work of a 17 year old kid who goes by the alias "geohot." You can watch his video here , and be sure to watch until the very end because you'll be treated to the creepiest look you'll get today. This video, on the other hand, is much newer and provides a seemingly much simpler strategy for unlocking the iPhone. "Uniquephones" makes it look like pretty much anyone can do it, although beware that the video might be a bit boring for the non-technically minded; it's literally just a guy holding his camera while he pushes buttons on stuff. (If you want something more entertaining, check out this cute little spoof. ) Personally, I don't really see what the big deal is. I have yet to hear any convincing evidence that one cell phone company is better than any other, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you can get an iPhone on any network anyway. But what do I know? Well, it only took hackers two months to unlock the iPhone's hidden ability to use other networks besides AT&T. The first such case appeared about a week ago, and it was the work of a 17 year old kid who goes by the alias "geohot." You can watch his video here, and be sure to watch until the very end because you'll be treated to the creepiest look you'll get today.

This video, on the other hand, is much newer and provides a seemingly much simpler strategy for unlocking the iPhone. "Uniquephones" makes it look like pretty much anyone can do it, although beware that the video might be a bit boring for the non-technically minded; it's literally just a guy holding his camera while he pushes buttons on stuff. (If you want something more entertaining, check out this cute little spoof.)

Personally, I don't really see what the big deal is. I have yet to hear any convincing evidence that one cell phone company is better than any other, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you can get an iPhone on any network anyway. But what do I know?

]]> 2007-08-29T16:35:48-05:00 2007-08-29T16:35:48-05:00 Nate Thompson hackers how-to grassroots iphone spoof technology apple Jim Carrey: A Call to Arms on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/coffee-break/archive/2007/08/29/jim-carrey-a-call-to-arms-on-burma-and-aung-san-suu-kyi Overearnest celebrity PSAs are certainly not new or rare things. You can't get through a commercial break these days without some marginally famous person telling you the planet is dying, or reading is FUNdamental, or hey, it's okay to be gay. All of them seem sincere, and most of them are probably worthwhile. But few are as deeply moving as this one. And it's from Jim Carrey, of all people. Sure, it may take a second for the more cynical among us to get past Carrey's Jesus hair and his intense, "NO SERIOUSLY, GUYS, I'M BEING SERIOUS" face. But give the funnyman his due: when he's talking about Burma, about the abuses its military regime has heaped on the people, and the brutal and tragic imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, his message is anything but amusing. Even the most aware of us can sometimes forget just how much is going on outside of our little corner of the world. Hopefully, Aung San Suu Kyi will not have to be imprisoned for another eleven years before the world starts paying attention to her and the Burmese people. Overearnest celebrity PSAs are certainly not new or rare things. You can't get through a commercial break these days without some marginally famous person telling you the planet is dying, or reading is FUNdamental, or hey, it's okay to be gay. All of them seem sincere, and most of them are probably worthwhile. But few are as deeply moving as this one. And it's from Jim Carrey, of all people.

Sure, it may take a second for the more cynical among us to get past Carrey's Jesus hair and his intense, "NO SERIOUSLY, GUYS, I'M BEING SERIOUS" face. But give the funnyman his due: when he's talking about Burma, about the abuses its military regime has heaped on the people, and the brutal and tragic imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, his message is anything but amusing.

Even the most aware of us can sometimes forget just how much is going on outside of our little corner of the world. Hopefully, Aung San Suu Kyi will not have to be imprisoned for another eleven years before the world starts paying attention to her and the Burmese people.

]]> 2007-08-29T13:47:39-05:00 2007-08-29T13:47:39-05:00 Jill Weinberger burma human rights jim carrey celebrity psa protest jail politics aung san suu kyi